Linking Producers to Markets: Lessons Learned from USAID s Experience Agriculture Value Chain Development Thomas Hobgood USAID
Bilateral Example - UGANDA Agricultural Productivity Enhancement Program
Producer Organizations are Key Challenges: poor managerial skills required to manage large input supply and bulk marketing activities. Poor infrastructure high transaction costs Lack of access to credit and market/technical information Lack of common voice to engage on policy issues Lack of a commercial orientation farming as a family business Lack of access to markets
Training, Capacity Building, Governance Essential APEP Interventions Trained 20 individuals as Producer Organization Trainers (POT). POTs have formed 291 POs focused on cotton, coffee, maize, sunflower, sesame, barley, rice and matooke bananas. Training to help access and use technology, access credit and financial management. Training in bulk marketing and bulk input supply Site coordinator explains benefits of IPM for upland rice
Producer Organizations APEP Interventions Access to new production technologies, better access to local and regional markets, improved access to inputs and rural credit Depot committees (DC) increase the volume of crop being consolidated at a central pick up point. As of September 2006, APEP POs have achieved a great amount of success -- additional sales of $35 million Increased farmer incomes through increased production and marketing of agricultural products
Regional Example The Regional Agricultural Trade Expansion Support (RATES) Program RATES is designed to increase the value and volume of agricultural trade in East and Southern Africa. RATES currently supports activities in four sectors: specialty coffee, maize, cotton and textiles and dairy. RATES works with regional and national-level trade organizations, private companies, and entrepreneurs to remove barriers to trade To date, Regional trade has increased by 58% in the RATES supported commodities.
Narrow commodity focus Narrow geographic focus RATES Lessons Learned Know starting point--baseline Know value chains key issues/constraints Know key private sector and public sector players- Know partners
RATES Lessons Learned Not all commodities require a separate association Full value-chain membership seems to work better than single segments holistic approach Commodity industry stakeholders must prove commitment through active participation Regional associations are expensive to run. National trade and business associations more cost effectivestart national- move to regional- end result
RATES Lessons Learned Regional Associations do Add Value Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs): Dairy, Coffee, Cotton and Grains all have working MOU s with COMESA for the purpose of resolving barriers to trade. Successful in addressing policy initiatives including harmonization of standards, SPS protocols, simplifying trade and customs. Some other lessons learned for value chain work: Design programs benefit to all segments. Policy initiatives cannot benefit one chain segment to the detriment of another Start with the easy to solve constraints Realistic Time expectations 10 years Role of women in production, finance, governance critical
Priorities I Suppose.
Choice of sub-sector investments matters in influencing growth and poverty reduction National poverty ratio (%) under different agricultural growth scenarios 45 44 43 42 41 40 39 Baserun StapleCrops Livestock Nontraditional Cof f ee 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
National poverty ratio (%) under different growth scenarios 45 43 41 39 37 35 33 31 29 27 25 23 Staples Staples+livestock+high-value Ag w ith Mkt Ag w ith non-ag 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015
Helping to Set Priorities - Commitment to CAADP To accelerate the CAADP strategy, (USAID) has aligned the US Presidential Initiative to End Hunger in Africa in support of this African vision of transformation and economic growth Support Regional - Economic (COMESA, ECOWAS) and Technical Organizations (ASARECA, CORAF) Build Capacity to Facilitate Public / Private Partnerships-GDAs Support and draw on guidance from Expert Reference Groups Support Individual Country Process / Programs-Roundtables Facilitate more private sector involvement and development of PPPs Strengthen Strategic Analysis Knowledge Support Systems (SAKSS)
Priorities for This Year in Collaboration with Partners Getting Regional Staple Food Markets to Work Developing Seed and Fertilizer Alliance in West and East Africa Continuing our Work at the Country and Regional Level to Link Producers to Markets Using Food Aid Resources Creatively to Link Vulnerable Populations to Markets
Signs of Transformation 120 Uganda 2500 100 2000 %, index, US$ 80 60 40 1500 1000 million 2000 US$ 20 500 0 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 0 Hunger Income Ag Grow th Poverty Total Food Production Total factor productivity
Signs of Transformation 120 Ghana 2500 100 2000 %, index, US$ 80 60 40 1500 1000 million 2000 US$ 20 500 0 0 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 Hunger Poverty Income Total factor Food productivity Production Ag Grow th
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